Wednesday, March 16, 2016

AFP Chief of Staff General Hernando DCA Iriberri and AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for RRA, J9 RAdm Aurelio A Rabusa Jr. preside over the donning of ranks of House Speaker Hon. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on March 17, Thursday in Camp Aguinaldo. Belmonte is now a Commander in the Philippine Navy Reserve Force. PHOTO FROM AFPHouse Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. has been commissioned as a commander or lieutenant colonel in the Philippine Navy Reserve Force.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri conferred the rank of Belmonte in Camp Aguinaldo on Thursday.

Elected official appointees may be commissioned in the reserve force subject to the existing AFP rules and regulations, the Section 44 of the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act or Republic Act 7077 states.Prominent figures who are also reserve officers include Filipino boxing champion Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Loren Legarda, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos- Recto and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Two Army soldiers were killed yesterday after being ambushed by the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group on the outskirts of Sulu province.Report showed that the two soldiers, assigned with the Army’s 10th Infantry Battalion (IB), were riding in tandem on a Honda XRM motorcycle at around 8:10 a.m. when they were fired upon along Sitio Tibongbong, Barangay Igasan in Patikul.The soldiers had just gone to a meeting in Barangay Taglibi and were on their back to Barangay Buhanginan when they were attacked by Abu Sayyaf terrorists.“Two personnel were dead on the spot,” report said. The identities of the slain soldiers were temporarily withheld pending notification of their kin.The group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Morasil Mudjahirin was tagged in the ambush.Other military units under Joint Task Group Sulu were immediately alerted to track down the Abu Sayyaf attackers.The Abu Sayyaf launched the attack amid the ongoing focused military operations against the terrorist group.Meanwhile, members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) struck anew in Maguindanao province on Monday night, attacking Marine troops in Datu Salibu town that resulted in the killing of one soldier while another was wounded.Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman for the military’s Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom), said that undetermined number of BIFF men attacked members of the 25th Marine Company in Sitio Tampuad, Barangay Andavit at around 6:20 p.m.Tan said that the Marines engaged the attacking BIFF rebels in a brief firefight.As a result, one Marine was killed in action while another was wounded.Tan said that undetermined number of casualty was reported on BIFF side.According to Tan, military troops in the area launched pursuit operations against the BIFF attackers.http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/abu-biff-atrocities-erupt-in-mindanao-anew

A Japanese submarine will make a port call in the Philippines for the first time in 15 years and visit Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Bay for the first time ever, Japan’s navy said.The announcement came days after China accused its Asian rival of interfering in the South China Sea.Japan, which occupied the Philippines and Vietnam during World War II, is now strengthening relations. All three countries share growing concerns about China’s increasing military muscle amid a series of maritime disputes.China claims almost all the South China Sea. It is also embroiled in a separate row with Japan over disputed islands in the East China Sea that has seen relations sour badly in recent years.Tensions in the South China Sea — through which one-third of the world’s oil passes — have mounted in recent months since China transformed contested reefs into artificial islands capable of supporting military facilities.Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan also claim all or part of the Spratlys chain in the Sea, while Vietnam and Taiwan have rival claims with China in the Paracels chain there.The Japanese submarine Oyashio and two escort vessels will visit Subic Bay in the Philippines for annual open sea drills, a spokesman for Japan’s Maritime Staff Office confirmed to AFP. The ships will also subsequently visit Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam.The exercise, joined by some 500 personnel including officer candidates, is scheduled from Saturday through April 27.It will be the first call at a Philippine port by a Japanese submarine since 2001, while the visit to Cam Ranh Bay will mark a first, the naval spokesman said.Beijing accused Tokyo of interfering in the South China Sea after Manila said it would lease five Japanese military planes. http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/japan-submarine-to-visit-philippines-vietnam

The Philippine government will pursue programs for transitional justice and reconciliation for the Bangsamoro people despite the absence of a Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Philippine government peace panel member Senen Bacani said the government is already taking steps to ensure that the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) recommendation is implemented and by the end of the Aquino administration, a full progress report will be made.

The TJRC presented today its report during an event held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati.

The TJRC was created under the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), mandated to undertake a study and to make recommendations based on consultations and experts studies with a view to promote healing and reconciliation of the different communities that have been affected by the conflict.

"Without justice and reconciliation, there can be no true peace. Without justice and reconciliation, the most we can hope for is nothing but a prolonged ceasefire where the wounds of war never heal," Bacani said.

Bacani said if society is to build a future that the people want, everyone must come to terms with the past.

The peace panel member echoed the sentiment of negotiators and the Bangsamoro people with regard to the non-passage of the BBL in Congress. He said the peace panels and stakeholders continue to work and pray for the passage of the BBL in the next Congress. Despite the absence of the law, Bacani said the recommendations of the TJRC can still be pursued.

"In fact, we have received instructions from the Executive Secretary. Now I'm talking to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, to try to push to the different agencies of government, many recommendations contained in the TJRC report. So OPAPP will be doing that over the next few weeks, try to call meetings with the different agencies of government who may be involved in transitional justice and reconciliation."

Bacani cited a couple of programs that can be done initially to fulfill the recommendations of the TJRC.

"Those which are really being done by existing government institutions like the National Historical Commission, probably memorialization work. I think DepEd, probably some review of the curriculum, it's even timely because it's vacation time. Basically the intent is there, in this curriculum, to include the Bangsamoro history," said Bacani.

A US guided-missile destroyer arrived yesterday for a routine port visit for maintenance and crew rest, the fifth American vessel to visit the Philippines this month for such a visit.

The US embassy said the visit of USS Russell “is intended to strengthen the relationship between the US Navy and the people of the Philippines.”

The ship came from South China Sea or West Philippine Sea, where the disputed Spratly Islands is located.

The Americans have stepped up patrols in the South China Sea to ensure freedom of navigation. China has turned aggressive in its claims over the past years and has gone to the extent of conducting land reclamation in seven reefs.

The USS Russell, assigned with the US 5th Fleet in California, was reassigned to the US 7th Fleet in the Asia Pacific region in September last year.

The US embassy said the USS Russel is making its way to its homeport in San Diego, Califoria after a “highly successful deployment.” It did not say the duration of the ship’s port visit to the Philippines.

“Following the visit to Manila, the USS Russell will continue its voyage home, certainly with its crew bearing a better understanding of the history, culture, and people of a strong regional partner,” the embassy said.

China has set up a tsunami alert center in the South China Sea, the head of the country’s maritime regulator said on Wednesday, in Beijing’s latest effort to bolster its jurisdiction in the disputed waters.

China claims most of the energy-rich waters through which about $5 trillion in shipborne trade passes every year. Neighbors Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

The United States has voiced concerns about China’s assertive pursuit of territory in one of the world’s busiest trade routes.

The tsunami alert center is under construction but has already begun initial operations, Wang Hong, the chief of the State Oceanic Administration told reporters on the sidelines of China’s annual meeting of parliament.

He did not give details on the center’s location.

“We have already begun issuing tsunami alerts to the international community, including countries on the periphery of the South China Sea,” Wang said. “Cooperation in the South China Sea is one of our important focuses.

We hope to collaborate with South China Sea countries and create a peaceful and harmonious sea,” Wang said. China’s increasingly assertive claims in the South China Sea and its rapidly modernizing navy have rattled nerves around the region.

A BUREAU of Internal Revenue examiner filed a plunder complaint Wednesday against Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin before the Office of the Ombudsman over a “rotten” P1.26-billion helicopter deal in 2013.

The complainant, Rhodora Alvarez, also implicated other officials of the Defense department and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for “willfully, deliberately and feloniously” conspiring to carry out the plunder.

Alavarez alleged that Gazmin gave preferential treatment to the joint venture of Rice Aircraft Services Inc. and Eagle Copters for the procurement of Huey helicopters, including spare parts three years ago.

A project manager for Rice, however, had earlier alleged that it was Alvarez, their former country representative, that had demanded a 15-percent commission for negotiating the helicopter deal and threatened their local employees with tax evasion charges if they reported to work.

Training session. Women members of the Special Operations Group of the Philippine Coast Guard conduct rappel training from a military Huey helicopter at Manila’s South Harbor on Wednesday.DANNY PATA​

Gazmin denied Alvarez’s allegations. “It is good that we will know the truth,” he said upon learning of the suit.

The Defense department said it had not yet received a copy of Alvarez’s complaint.

“Nonetheless, we welcome the development as it provides an opportunity for the secretary and the DND to disprove Rhodora Alvarez’s allegations and reiterate the facts we have presented in the Senate hearing,” it said in a statement.

In her complaint, Alvarez described the sale as a “rotten” deal, saying it involved the purchase of helicopter scraps from Germany, shipping them to the United States for reconstruction and refurbishing, and eventually sending them over to Philippines for use by the Air Force.

Of the 21 choppers, seven were delivered to Manila, but only one was flying, she said.
The choppers were UH-1D, 1968 models similar to the US UH-1H or the Huey, but the instructions for their use were written in German, she added.

Because of this, Air Force pilots had to study German to understand the instructions before flying the choppers, she said.

Alvarez alleged that after awarding the contract, Gazmin signed and approved amendments to the agreement sought by the joint venture of Rice Aircraft Services Inc. and Eagle Copters.

She said Gazmin conspired with the other government officials to give the company special treatment.

Under the law, amendments can only be done during the pre-bid conference, not after a contract has been awarded, she said.

She also said that Commission on Audit rules state that the government is allowed to accept second-hand equipment only if no procurement is involved, Alvarez added.

In 2015, Alvarez appeared before a Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing, and presented her affidavit, saying that a 7-percent kickback would go to Gazmin and a 5-percent cut would go to the DND and AFP officials.

At the Senate hearing on Tuesday, the project manager of Rice Aircraft Services Inc., Matthew Rice, said it was Alvarez—who used to be the company’s country representative—who demanded a 15-percent commission from the deal.

In a presentation, he showed several e-mail messages and billings from Alvarez, who allegedly demanded a commission, which she later cut to three percent.

Rice said Alvarez also demanded a reimbursement for $278,674 that she supposedly spent.

“As you can see , here are some of the e-mails. ‘Where’s my money? Where is it? Pay, pay, pay. Pay your obligations, pay my commissions…’” he said, reading the e-mail messages that he said came from Alvarez.

Rice said Alvarez also threatened the Filipino crew of the company with tax evasion charges if they reported for work.

“So none of them would work because Ms. Alvarez wanted her money, which we would not send her,” he said.

He said this was the reason why there was a delay in the delivery of the helicopters.
Rasi president Robert Rice Jr. said they became suspicious of Alvarez when they saw on her Facebook account that she was handing out money during Christmas.

“She has two brand new vehicles, a brand new van and a brand new car in addition to the many vacations she’s taking,” he said.

The Philippine Navy published an updated version of their “Desired Force Mix” last December 2015 on an article in their official website,[1] and it turned out to be quite interesting, although it was just a brief overview contained in one graphic. It lacked many important details like the exact timeline or the budget they needed to get all those equipment. But they did note down the exact quantities and the description of the equipment they want, as well as a general or approximate timeline of when they intend to get them. Below is the said graphic:

’Summary’I have re-ordered the contents of the graphic into a matrix, as follows:

As we can see, the procurement is divided into three different “Horizons” which was first mentioned by former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gregorio Catapang in 2014.[2] So far the AFP has not released to the public the SPECIFIC details of these Horizons, they just provide bits and pieces about it here and there in news reports every now and then. As far as I can tell, the Administration of Benigno Aquino Jr. covers the FIRST Horizon, and so I assume that the next two Administrations will be the second and third Horizons.
The Philippine Navy Desired Force Mix 2015 (PNDFM-2015) is quite ambitious, consisting of 25 different line items with a total of around 211 weapons and equipment. Assuming that all of the items in the First Horizon will be bought, then only around 9% of the total will be acquired under the PNoy Administration. The bulk of the purchases or around 65% are expected to be bought in the Second Horizon, and remaining balance of 26% in the Third Horizon. The next sections cover my general observations and opinions about the PNDFM-2015.

’OTH Radar’One of the first things I noticed and liked about the list was the emphasis on Over the Horizon (OTH) targeting. The Navy has realized how important it is to be able to Detect, Track and provide targeting information of the enemy over long ranges up to hundreds of kilometers away, and has now put a mixture of OTH Radar and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) in their list.

Most Radar Systems operate only by Line of Sight (LOS), meaning they won’t be able to “see” below the natural curvature of the Earth or below the horizon. But there is a type of Radar that is able to go around this weakness and it’s called (naturally) the OTH Radar. This type of Radar either bounces Radar signals off the Ionosphere, or uses Low-Frequency Band Radars that can actually follow the curvature of the Earth. The installation of OTH Radars on our shores fronting the West Philippine Sea (WPS) will allow us to monitor enemy activity in that area.

One main disadvantage of these OTH Radars though is the need for very large Antennas, typically in tens or even hundreds of meters across depending on the range desired for them to reach.[3] These large antennas makes them impractical to be mounted on mobile platforms like Ships, and therefore are limited to be deployed only in static locations. The Navy is asking for four OTH Radar Systems in the PNDFM-2015.

’Maritime Patrol Aircraft’Another problem with OTH Radars is that the data they can provide of the targets are not very accurate, with their range errors usually measured in kilometers.[4] This does not make them good sources for targeting data, especially for moving targets. They are good enough for Early Warning, to tell that there is an enemy ship out there, but better radars are needed to obtain better information enough for accurate weapons deployment.

Now in such cases, aircraft are the preferred platform for these better radars because of their ability to travel quickly to the area, and this is why the Navy is planning to buy six MPAs. The combination of the OTH Radar and MPAs will enable our Navy good OTH Observation and Targeting capability, something which we have not had much of so far.

As for the weapons that could make use of the information from the MPAs, these could be mounted on Naval Vessels, Air Force aircraft or Army Vehicles if they are all connected thru Datalink.

’CubeSats’The Navy also specified the use of Cube Satellite (CubeSats) Systems in their PNDFM-2015, these are very small Satellites shaped like a cube with a standard dimension of 10 x 10 x 10 cm and weighing around 1 kg. This is the basic unit of CubeSats which is called a “1U”.[5] These 1U CubeSats can be stacked up on top of each other to build a bigger satellite if needed, like for example three of them can be used to build a “3U” CubeSat. These CubeSats are not cheap, though, with a typical 1U CubeSat costing around USD 100k. But then again this is a lot cheaper compared to most commercial Satellites out there right now which tends to cost in the millions of dollars.

I am not sure for what purpose exactly the Navy intends to use these CubeSats, but I think they will either be for COMMUNICATION, for OBSERVATION, or a combination of both. If the purpose will be for Observation, then these CubeSats will likely carry Imaging Equipment or Cameras[6] that would help complement the OTH Radars to monitor Ship activity in the WPS. And like the OTH Radars, information from these Satellites will likely be for Early Warning purposes only and not for targeting purposes.

Another good thing about these CubeSats is that since they are small, they are harder to detect by radar and thus will be harder to shoot down, and China does have Anti-Satellite capability.[7] The Navy wants a total of nine CubeSats for redundancy and attrition, so China will need to find and then shoot down many of them to take away our ability to observe from and/or to communicate thru space.

’Amphibious Operations’Another strong emphasis on the list is for Amphibious Operations capability. This capability is important if we want retake some our territory in the Spratly Islands if they are invaded, or if we want to invade ourselves some of the enemy territory in that area. This will also improve our ability to defend our mainland as it enables us to land a good amount of troops with good firepower support anywhere in the country.

The Navy wants two Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), which has already been bought as the Tarlac class of ships, and one Landing Helicopter Assault (LHA) ship. LHAs are basically bigger versions of the LPDs, but optimized to carry more and heavier air assets.[8] These three ships will carry between them the 33 Amphibious Assault Vessels (AAVs), three Landing Craft Cushions (LCCs) and Landing Craft Units (LCUs) that the Navy wants to use to land Marines on the beach.

The two LPDs will carry the four Close Air Support (CAS) Helicopters that will provide cover fire for the Marines if needed. Also six Land Attack Rocket System (LARS) were specified, these will likely be spread out among the LPDs and LHA to also provide fire cover support for the Marines. The six Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that the Navy is asking for could be used as Forward Observers (FO) to provide targeting information for the rockets and naval guns. The LHA will likely carry the three Heavy Lift Helicopters that will provide logistical support to our Marines once they have established a beach head.

The LCCs are a bit of a surprise because only the US and Japan operate them as of now, probably in part because of their high maintenance costs. These crafts after all use Gas Turbine Engines (GTEs) which give them high Power to Weight Ratios, but also at the same time high fuel consumption.[9] But I can understand why the Navy wants them, they are fast and can travel not only on water but also on land. And because we work very closely with the US Marines, our own Marines in turn are now very familiar with its operation and advantages.

’Fast Attack Crafts’The Navy also now wants Fast Attack Craft (FACs), they now seem intent to have the capability to provide some Sea Denial capability against China in the WPS. FACs are small, fast, agile and heavily armed ships intended for offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW). Their use has its roots in the French Naval Strategy of Jeune Ecole in the 1800s of using smaller ships against larger vessels.[10]

Since then it has become a favorite strategy of smaller nations going up against superpowers, mainly because FACs are cost effective and yet still are able to provide a heavy punch on the enemy. An example would be like Taiwan going up against China, or Iran going up against the US Navy. Taiwan has around 46 missile armed FACs[11] while Iran has over a hundred missile or torpedo-armed FACs.[11]

42 FACs with four Anti-Ship Missiles (AShMs) each means a total of 168 missiles that the Chinese fleet will have to contend with, and with these spread out to three and half dozen platforms means a big headache for them to hunt and neutralize each, especially if those FACs have decent self-defense capabilities also.

The picture of the graphic seems to be that of an MRTP-33, and if that or similar to it is what they want, then it’s great because I feel it is one of the best FACs in the world right now. It has a relatively low weight of only around 120 tons, and generally the lower the weight, the less costly the vessel is. And yet the MRTP-33 can carry four AShMs in the weight class of the RGM-84 Harpoon AShMs. In terms of self-defense capability against aircraft and missiles, it can carry Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs) and Decoy systems.[13]

Due to their small size and large numbers to be ordered, I think this will be a good opportunity to either design and build them locally, or to license-build a foreign design locally. I think the latter will be better as long as we go for a proven design in service with other navies. We will likely need to build more of them at a time though, like at least half a dozen at a time to convince the manufacturers to allow the license-building of their designs.

’Major Combatants’For the big vessels, the PNDFM-2015 requires three Patrol Frigates, and these are probably the Del Pilar-class Frigates that we already have. Next are seven Guided Missile Frigates, with three of them being bought in the first Horizon. This is a bit of a mystery since we know that we are only buying two new Frigates, so I am not sure where the other one will come from. Whatever it is, it will probably be revealed in time.

The Navy is also asking for eight Corvettes, I assume this is on top of the three Jacinto-class, two Rizal-class and five Malvar-class Corvettes it already has. I think that the World War Two-era Rizal and Malvar-class Corvettes will be retired once these new (or newer, if refurbished ships are bought) Corvettes enter service. The incoming PCC-759 Mokpo Pohang-class Corvette will probably fill the first of these eight Corvettes.
Last would be the requirement for three Diesel Electric Submarines, which would be an excellent start for our Navy. I have always felt that using Submarines is the best way to counter China, but the problem is their high acquisition and high maintenance cost. On top of that there is also a high technical requirement to run them effectively, meaning finding good, competent people with the right technical qualifications, and allowing for a couple of years of experience for them to use the Submarine well.

’Missiles’And now for everybody’s favorite, the ‘misels’. The Navy wants a total of 45 Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), and I am not sure what they are for. They could be distributed to the troops (specifically the Marines) just like the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLAN) which has twelve QW-1 or QW-2 MANPADS per Battalion (thru one embedded Anti-Aircraft Platoon).[14] These MANPADS will give our Marines some Air Defense capability, although I don’t think we will be able to match the kind of numbers the PLAN has. Our distribution will likely be less at around three to four per Battalion.

Or, these could be instead/also installed on the Del Pilar/Jacinto/Tarlac-class and other ships to give them better air defense capability. MANPADS may be rudimentary for use against AShMs, but I feel they are still better than using just the ship’s Naval Guns.
Next would be the requirement for three Medium Range AShMs which interestingly matches the three Del Pilar-class Frigates that we already have, so this could finally be the long-awaited plan to arm them with ‘misels’.

’2012 Version Comparison’The Navy did release a Desired Force Mix in 2012,[15] so it would be interesting to see what changes they made from that list. Below is a list of both versions side by side, note that the item descriptions don’t exactly match so I decided to just match which ones I think are the nearest comparisons.

First difference is that there are less Line Items in the old list, only 16 compared to 25 in the new one. But it does have slightly more total number of weapons and equipment at 216 compared to only 211 in the 2015 version. The 2012 version though contained a lot more vessels, it fact it contained almost exclusively just ships unlike the 2015 version which contained a lot more variety like Radars, Missiles, etc.

The 2012 version intended to land troops to the beach using LCUs and Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts (MPACs), but the 2015 version changed this to AAVs and LCACs. The LCUs are able to carry a lot more troops per ship, but then AAVs and LCACs have better protection and firepower, allowing them better chances of survival against a well-equipped enemy. The AAVs and LCACs also have the advantage of being able to travel not only in water but also on land, enabling them to land their troops nearer to the target or further up the beach.

The 2012 list had a lot more helicopters, 26 versus only thirteen on the new list, but the new list was more specific on what type of helicopters they wanted. There is also less stress on patrolling in the new list as it did away with the 40 gunboat requirement and cut down the number of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) from 18 to just three Patrol Frigates. The stress has been transferred to naval combatants that could challenge a strong enemy Navy by removing the requirement for the MPAC entirely and replacing these with FACs. I am assuming of course that the Navy does not mean armed MPACs as FACs because as I mentioned in a previous blog, I think it is too small to be able to survive against strong opposition.

Overall I think the 2015 version is better, it has more variety that allows it to focus more on dealing against a strong external threat. It seems to also require a smaller budget which is more realistic given our limited financial situation.

’Parting Shot’It’s good that our Navy now has a more solid and detailed plan for its modernization. If it pushes thru, it will enable them to have:

Just too bad that they only gave us a glimpse instead of releasing in public the entire plan like what the Air Force did with their “Flight Plan 2028”. At any rate, the realization of the Navy’s plan will depend very heavily on the kind of President the Filipino people elects in May 2016. If he or she will be as supportive to the AFP Modernization as PNoy is, then we will see most of it to materialize.

However if the next Administration is not as supportive, then we won’t see it happen. Which would be too bad as the bulk of the purchases were planned for the next Administration, so if that doesn’t happen, then program will be set back by more than half a decade.

I do have some reservations with the PNDFM-2015 in that the scale of the purchases seems to be still quite large, despite it already being less expensive than the 2012 version. I think a more realistic expectation then would be that not all but only a majority of the purchases will materialize, and that it will be stretched out over the next two Horizons instead of the bulk purchases being made in the Second Horizon. So good luck to the Navy and to us, hoping to see most of these acquisitions happen within the next decade.

Philippine army Lt. Col. Henry Bellan, left, and U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Garrity, the deputy commanders of Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force, bury a time capsule containing the construction plans for a footbridge during a groundbreaking ceremony March 18, 2013, in San Narciso, Philippines. The job was one of eight engineering civic action projects conducted by U.S. and Philippine service members in support of exercise Balikatan 2013. Balikatan is an annual bilateral training exercise designed to increase interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military when responding to future natural disasters. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chris Fahey, U.S. Navy/Released)S. and Philippine Armed Forces Will Work Shoulder-to-Shoulder to Train for Humanitarian Disaster Response and Strengthen Interoperability

CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) began the first phase of Exercise Balikatan 2016 today, conducting preliminary work on five different school buildings and community medical engagements in Panay and Palawan leading up to information exchanges and live training events over a 12-day period. In the following weeks U.S. forces will join in the AFP as they work shoulder-to-shoulder during these engagements and throughout the exercise.

Balikatan is an annual Philippine-U.S. military bilateral training exercise that is a signature element of the Philippine-U.S. alliance focused on a variety of missions to include humanitarian assistance, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection. BK 16 will take place in the Philippines April 4 to 15. The opening ceremony for BK 16 is scheduled to take place April 4, followed by several training events throughout the 12-day exercise, and the closing ceremony is scheduled to be held April 15.

During BK 16 Philippine and U.S. service members will conduct humanitarian civil assistance (HCA) projects throughout Panay. Preliminary work on community infrastructure projects begins at the end of March. It will demonstrate cooperation and interoperability between the Philippines and the U.S., consistent with the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement, as we continue our commitment to train, share information and provide support to each other through a range of military operations.

Throughout BK 16 AFP and U.S. forces will work together to enhance maritime law enforcement throughout the Philippines in order to meet annual training requirements, and enhance techniques, tactics, and procedures as a critical part of interoperability of our forces.

Military service members from both countries will also conduct combined simulation supported events and operational events in three main commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Western Command, Northern Luzon Command, and Sothern Luzon Command), and other major Philippine military camps such as Crow Valley, Fort Magsaysay, Clark Air Field, Subic Bay, Palawan and Panay to improve their ability to work together, partnering in capabilities and plan follow-on operations. One of the main operations for this year’s exercise will be the implementation of a joint rapid reaction force as part of the distributed operations in the vicinity of Panay, demonstrating the partnered capability in rapid response.

BK16 is the 32nd iteration of the annual exercise. This year, the Philippines and the United States have invited a number of personnel from other regional partner nations to attend a portion of the exercise. Mutual forces from the Philippines, United States and Australia will participate in all major exercise events including the simulation supported event (SSE), operational event (OE) and humanitarian civic assistance (HCA). The AFP has invited the following nations to observe BK 16 activities: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India, Japan, South Korea, and Timor-Leste.

[“Balikatan” in Filipino means “shoulder-to-shoulder” and characterizes the spirit of the exercise and the Philippines-U.S. alliance.]

Camp Darapanan, Maguindanao --- Diplomats from the European Union (EU) reaffirmed on Monday (March 14) their common desire for the continuity of the peace process during their visit here to confer with the MILF Central Committee.

EU Head of Delegation Ambassador Franz Jessen said that their call on the MILF leadership was to “secure continuation of peace process in the next Philippine government.”

German Ambassador Thomas Ossowski emphasized that they “stand behind continuation of peace talks” while Netherlands Ambassador Marion Derckx expressed “full support and reaffirmation of the continuity of the peace process.”

MILF Chairman Alhaj Murad Ebrahim, who described the 10-man team as the “strongest delegation” in recent times to have visited the administrative base of the Front’s largest camp, acknowledged the concerns of the envoys.

He pointed out five issues that the MILF Central Committee considers as critical.These are the uncertainty with the policy of the next administration; the pending case in the Supreme Court against the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB); unpredictability of situations “in the ground”; the structural arrangement of the Philippine government; and the diverging peace paradigms between the parties.

Murad said that all presidentiables have no clear stand yet on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

MILF Chief Negotiator Mohagher Iqbal described as “scary situation” if the Supreme Court would rule unfavorably on the CAB.

For his part, MILF First Vice-Chairman Ghadzali Jaafar decried the mistaken notion of policymakers that merely silencing guns is enough to achieve peace in the Bangsamoro.

He appealed to the European Union to assist the Bangsamoro in “influencing” the Philippine government.

These member-countries of the European Union were all signatories to the statement released on October 15, 2015 by the “International Supporters for Peace in the Philippines” calling for, among others, the giving of “ life to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro” (CAB) by remaining engaged in the peace process and seizing the opportunity to enable to the Bangsamoro people to form their government.

Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao- Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa arrived in Cotabato City and Maguindanao to officially turn-over the Japanese Government’s funded Darapanan Youth and Children’s Center inside the administrative base of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on March 15, 2016.

Ambassador Ishikawa and MILF Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim jointly cut the ribbon that signals the inauguration of the two story building skills-training center for youth and children at the MILF main camp.

The ribbon- cutting ceremony was made after a short program at the Office of the General Staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) Sammy Al-Mansour.
MILF General Secretariat chair Mohammad Ameen delivered the opening remarks.

“We thank Almighty Allah (SWT) for this historic gathering today to witness the turnover ceremony of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) project known as the Project for construction of the Darapanan Youth and Children Center”, Ameen said.

“With this building established at the heart of Camp Darapanan our young soldiers (BIAF) can avail of the skills training program to become more productive and progressive members of the Bangsasmoro”, Ameen added.

For his part, Al Haj Murad said, “We gathered here today to witness the turn-over of the said project, a two-story building funded through the generosity of the Japanese people and its government specially the Official Development Assistance (ODA)”.

“This building, more than anything else, shall serve as the unshakeable foundation of our enduring friendship and a beacon of hope of our people for a better future’, Murad stressed.

“In behalf of the MILF and the Bangsamoro people, I accept this enduring symbol of friendship of our peoples and the testament to our future cooperation and partnership with the government and people of Japan”, Chairman said in his acceptance speech.
He extended his deepest appreciation and gratitude to the people of Japan and its government for their assistance and support to the Bangsamoro people.

“Today, we are gathered here to celebrate the completion of one significant building, the Darapanan Youth and Children Center, which was funded by the Government of Japan” said Japanese Ambassador Ishikawa.

“This center is a venue for technical-vocational trainings, such as knowledge and skills in electrical and piping installation for buildings’, Ambassador Ishikawa also said.
The construction of the training center is to provide benefits in terms of knowledge and skills to the war-affected Bangsamoro youth.

Japan continuously supports the improvement of the lives of the Bangsamoro people.
Recently, Ambassador Ishikawa signed 5 new grassroots projects amounting to 20 million pesos as part of Japan’s assistance for peace and development in Mindanao.
Al Mansoor closed the program and said “Rest assured that this center shall be useful to our youth and children”.

From the Mindanao Examiner (Mar 16): Pa of mayoralty bet, 2 others ambush in Zamboanga town

Police on Wednesday said unidentified gunmen have killed the father of a mayoralty candidate and wounded 2 of his companions in an ambush in Tungawan town in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga Sibugay.

Police said 3 motorcycle gunmen were involved in the murder of Moin Samson, whose son Carl Climaco is running for mayor in the town. Two others men – Hasim Samson and Rashid Hassan – were both wounded in the attack which occurred late Monday near a bridge in the village of Lower Tungawan.

The victims were heading home on a motorcycle when the gunmen, who were tailing the trio, attacked them with automatic pistols. The motive of the attack is still unclear and police would not say if the ambush was politically motivated.

There was no immediate statement from the family of Climaco, but their political allies claimed that many of them were getting death threats from unknown groups.

Climaco was himself wounded in an attack by gunmen in October last year that also killed Randy Climaco, the town’s mayor, and injured 6 others, including Tungawan Vice Mayor Abdurauf Abison and a municipal council member Lovelife Caracol. The group just filed their candidacy for the May national polls when gunmen ambushed them near Batungan village.

Since then, about a dozen people – mostly supporters of the Climacos – were slain in separate gun attacks in Tungawan, and the military would not take action on the spate of killings, saying, it is the duty of the police to secure the town.

Residents from various provinces in Davao
region stormed the Gaisano Mall in TagumCity, Davao del Norte to
witness the two-day activities in line with the celebration of the 119th
founding anniversary of the Philippine Army that concluded on Monday, March 14.

10th Infantry (Agila) Division chief information officer
Captain Rhyan Batchar told the media here that the Mindanao leg celebration was
the third activity that was launched by the Army this month – the first leg was
celebrated in LucenaCity last March 5 to 6 while the second leg was in TaclobanCity last March 11 and 12.

Under the theme "Serving the People, Securing the
Land", the two-day commemoration was also joined by soldiers from the four
divisions of the Philippine Army that for years, have been involved in various
peace and development efforts in Mindanao, that include the 10th ID, 4th ID,
6th ID and the 1st ID.

The residents who joined the celebrations had the chance to
view photos showing the various activities of the Army in Mindanao
that include trainings, operations and community services.

The visitors also enjoyed the feel of being inside army
camps and detachments through the set up of a mock-up camp, sentinel post and
tower post.

Army equipment including various high-powered firearms were
also displayed for the public’s viewing and the army’s top gears utilized
during rescue missions.

Dindo, a farmer, is among the visitors who came from Monkayo
town together with his three neighbors to show their support to the
celebration.

Asking the media not to reveal his real identity for
security purposes, Dindo said the Army effectively implemented its peace and
development efforts in the hinterlands of Monkayo and the other towns in CompostelaValley province.

Though he did not deny the presence of the communist New
People’s Army (NPA) in the area, Dindo said far-flung communities and residents
now feel the need to support the government programs and projects that are
already visible in their localities.

A group of civilians from Pantukan led by Perlita were also
interviewed by the media during the activity, said: “Pito kami nga gikan sa
among Purok ang mianhi aron masaksihan ning aktibidad sa army atol sa ilang
anibersaryo (There were seven of us who came from our Purok who came to witness
the activities in line with their anniversary),” she said.

Perlita asserted that they came to show their support to the
Army soldiers who, for more than a year now, have been effectively supporting
the development initiatives of their local leaders.

She was glad seeing residents from other towns and even
far-flung villages who came to join the troops during the celebration.

Members of tribal communities in Davao region also joined the celebration and
mingled with the men and women in uniform as well as the civilians from other
areas.

The opening last Sunday was also graced by Tagum City Mayor
Allan Rellon, 10th ID commander Major General Rafael Valencia and Col. Benjamin
Hao of the Army Chief Public Affairs Office.

Rellon expressed gratitude to the Army for their dedication
in service and for assuring that TagumCity and the rest of the
region are secured.

He also thanked the residents in the area for their
continued support to the Army.

Major General Valencia
also thanked the residents who joined the event and had the chance to
personally mingle with the soldiers, view their equipment and watch the shows
that presented the continuing peace and development works of the Army in Mindanao.

From the Philippine News Agency (mar 17): PAF's FA-50PHs to take part in Balikatan 2016

The Philippine Air Force's (PAF) first two FA-50PH
"Fighting Eagle" light-interim fighter aircraft will be participating
in this year's Balikatan exercises.

"(Our) FA-50s will take part in 'Balikatan' for the
first time," PAF spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya said in a text message to
PNA.

Canaya said FA-50PH pilots will be taught airborne intercept
techniques, air combat maneuvers, interdiction and close-air support by their
American counterparts.

This is the first time the PAF will be fielding supersonic
aircraft to the Balikatan exercises since the decommissioning of its Northrop
F-5 "Tiger" jet fighter fleet in 2005.

Prior to the delivery of the first two FA-50PHs last Nov.
28, PAF presence in Balikatan air maneuvers consist of its sub-sonic
Marchetti-SIAI S-211 jet trainers along with its Rockwell OV-10
"Bronco" attack aircraft and various models of the UH-IH
"Huey" combat utility helicopters and MG-520 attack choppers.

The Philippines
has a 12-plane order from Korea Aerospace Industries worth PHP18.9 billion.
Deliveries of the remaining 10 aircraft are expected by 2017.

Opening ceremonies for Balikatan 2016 are slated for April
4, followed by several training events throughout the 12-day exercise while
closing ceremony is scheduled to be held April 15, said Balikatan 2016
spokesperson Capt. Celeste Frank Sayson.

"Balikatan" is an annual Philippine-US military
bilateral training exercise that is a signature element of the
Filipino-American alliance focused on a variety of missions to include
humanitarian assistance, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection.

Butuan City – An undetermined number of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were believed killed after a fierce encounter with government troops Tuesday morning, the military said yesterday.

An initial report coming from the 13th Regional Public Safety Batallion (13thRPSB) and Butuan City Public Safety Company (BCPSC) said a gun battle erupted at around 8 a.m. Tuesday after local police responded to calls made by residents of highland Barangay Manila De Bugabos that insurgents were present in their village.

Personnel from the 13th RPSB, led by Insp. Jun C. Formocod, and the BCPSC, under Insp. Randie M. Azote, engaged the rebels in a skirmish before the latter retreated into the mountainous area of the barangay.

“The rebels, carrying along with them their casualties, retreated deep into the mountainous area, and are now being pursued by our police force battalion,” the Regional Public Information Officer (RPIO) of Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) said, quoting the initial report coming from the field.

The fleeing rebels were members of guerilla-Front Committee 4-A of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), he said.

The lawmen also detained eight persons, who were suspiciously seen roaming in the vicinity of the encounter. The identities of those detained were withheld, pending the result of the investigation being conducted by authorities.

From the Sun Star-Davao (Mar 16): Another NPA leader nabbed in Compostela

AUTHORITIES arrested on Monday another ranking official of the New People's Army (NPA) in Compostela Valley.

Joint elements of the police and military conducted an operation and captured Allan Montecalvo around 5 p.m. at Purok Sta. Cruz in Lupon, Davao Oriental.

The military identifed Montecalvo alias Em-am as the political adviser of the NPA's Guerilla Front 27 and the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 2.

He was arrested by virtue of the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Virginia D. Tejano-Ang of RTC, 11th Judicial Region in Tagum City for illegal possession of firearm.

After his arrest, Montecalvo was brought to Lupon Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
In a statement, Colonel Macairog Alberto, chief of the Army's 1001st Infantry Brigade, said residents of Compostela Valley themselves have turned against presence of rebel groups in their area.

"They are already resisting the presence of NPA and they've been very cooperative in providing us the necessary information to locate any armed group," Alberto said.

He lauded the residents for the success of the arrest of Guerilla Front 2 Secretary alias Marlon earlier and the recent capture of Montecalvo.

"We thank the people for their willingness and initiative to end the armed struggle and finally allow peace to reign in the region," he said.

Mangyans fled their villages in the mountains as government forces battled New People’s Army guerrillas Wednesday morning, leaving an Army soldier and four militiamen dead, the military said.

Killed were Army Cpl. Rolando Bernal and militiamen Christopher Gadon, Fulgencio Rolando, Gary Galindez, and Ernesto Malubay Jr., all members of the Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit, of the 41st Infantry Battalion, of the Army Capt. Allan Apara said.

Initial reports said the platoon, composed of 14 Army soldiers and seven Cafgu members led by Lt. Robert Relativo, were on combat patrol in Barangay Hagan, pursuing a rebel band and shot dead a councilman, Gerry Magallon, in front of his house in Sitio Balite last Sunday, when they were fired upon by about 30 NPA rebels belonging to the Kilusan Sa Pangkat group.

A 30-minute gun battle ensued after Bernal and the four militiamen were killed in the initial volley of fire. Attack helicopters launched an air strike on the NPA position but the military could not ascertain if there were casualties on the rebel side.

Police said Mangyans and other residents fled their villages for feat of getting caught in the crossfire.
The entire Mindoro province has been placed on red alert in anticipation of more rebel attacks ahead of the NPA anniversary of March 29.

The AFP Southern Luzon Command said it believed the rebels were part of the group that stormed a police station in Paluan, killing two policemen and a soldier in November 2014. Since then, the military has been tracking the movements of the rebel group.

“Now that the troops located them, we will use necessary force and AFP assets to neutralize them,” said Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya.

The commanding officer of the Army’s 4th Infantry Battalions, Lt. Col. Rodolfo Gesim said the wounded were airlifted to Roxas, Oriental Mindoro for medical attention.

A United States Navy ship Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Russell (DDG 59) arrived in Manila Bay on March 13 as part of a routine visit for maintenance and crew rest. The said American warship is on its way back to its homeport in San Diego, California.

Russell is from a highly successful deployment to the US Fifth Fleet’s Area of Responsibility, the US Navy said. The 5th Fleet is responsible for providing US naval forces in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

“It is a once in a lifetime occasion,” said SONAR Technician 3rd Class Jonathan Ferrel. “Manila presents a unique chance to experience a rich culture different from my own.”

“This port call is a fantastic opportunity for our crew,” said CDR Gill McCarthy, commanding officer of the USS Russell. “We are excited to develop deeper ties with the people of the Philippines and enjoy the tremendous offerings of the city of Manila.”

After the visit, USS Russell will continue its voyage home, certainly with its crew bearing a better understanding of the history, culture, and people of a strong regional partner, the US Navy added.

Units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) started its pre-“Exercise Balikatan 2016” activities by conducting preliminary work on five different school buildings and community medical engagements in Panay and Palawan Wednesday.

This will lead to information exchanges and live training events over a 12-day period. Construction activities in Panay and Palawan are expected to be completed by the end of March.

“Balikatan” in Filipino means “shoulder-to-shoulder” and characterizes the spirit of the exercise and the Philippines-US alliance.

Opening ceremonies are slated for April 4, followed by several training events throughout the 12-day exercise while closing ceremony is scheduled to be held April 15, said “Balikatan 2016” spokesperson Capt. Celeste Frank Sayson.

“Exercise Balikatan 2016” is the 32nd iteration of the annual exercise. This year, the Philippines and the United States have invited a number of personnel from other regional partner nations to attend a portion of the exercise.

Mutual forces from the Philippines, United States and Australia will participate in all major exercise events including the simulation supported event (SSE), operational event (OE) and humanitarian civic assistance (HCA).

Both sides are committed to train, share information and provide support to each other through a range of military operations. Through the joint exercises, Filipino and American forces will work together to enhance maritime law enforcement throughout the Philippines in order to meet annual training requirements, and enhance techniques, tactics, and procedures as a critical part of interoperability of the two military forces.

Military service members from both countries will also conduct combined simulation supported events and operational events in three main commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Western Command, Northern Luzon Command, and Sothern Luzon Command), and other major Philippine military camps such as Crow Valley, Fort Magsaysay, Clark Air Field, Subic Bay, Palawan and Panay to improve their ability to work together, partnering in capabilities and plan follow-on operations.

One of the main operations for this year’s exercise will be the implementation of a joint rapid reaction force as part of the distributed operations in the vicinity of Panay, demonstrating the partnered capability in rapid response.

Five troopers were killed while four others were wounded
during a 30-minute encounter involving a platoon of "B" Company of
the 4th Infantry Battalion against 30 elements of the New People’s Army (NPA)
in HaganVillage, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro at
10:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

The casualties were airlifted by military choppers later in
the afternoon to Roxas, Oriental Mindoro for funeral and medical attention.

Lieutenant Colonel Gesim said that the troops were on combat
operations in response to the killing of a member of the village (barangay)
council of the said village few days ago by the NPA rebels.

"The troops were determined to get the killers, they
fought bravely with their heart by dislodging the NPAs from their entrenched
position," said LTC Gesim. "But sadly, we lost some of them," he
continued.

He also said that the NPA's laid landmines in the perimeter
that inflicted initial damage to the operating troops.

203rd Infantry Brigade Commander Colonel Gavin Edjawan has
directed pursuit operations as reinforcements were inserted in strategic areas
by military helicopters which also provided close air support to the engaged
troops.

The AFP Southern Luzon Command believes that these NPAs are
part of the group that attacked Paluan Municipal Police Station in Occidental
Mindoro in November 2014. Since then, 203Bde has been tracking the movements of
the rebel group.

Navy patrol gun boats are now conducting maritime patrols
and interdiction operations in selected waters surrounding MindoroIsland
to preempt possible reinforcement coming from the mainland as well as those who
intend to escape from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) operations.

"Now that the troops located them, we will use
necessary force and AFP assets to neutralize them," said SOLCOM Chief
Lieutenant General Ricardo R. Visaya.

SOLCOM is optimistic the encounter will lead to the
neutralization of the NPA group that has long been terrorizing in the island
especially in the hinterlands.

"We are re-doubling our focused military operations to
eliminate the NPAs in pursuit of peace and development in Mindoro,"
said Lt. Gen. Visaya.

The camp with improvised bomb making ingredients were found
in Barangay Andavit, a remote village under influenced by the BIFF in Datu
Salibo, Maguindanao.

The discovery of the bomb making facility came a day after
about 20 BIFF attacked on Monday night Marines and soldiers stationed in the
village as perimeter security of the PHP58 million worth flood control project
in the area.

That BIFF harassment left a Marine private killed and a
Marine lieutenant wounded. At least six BIFF were also believed killed in the
hour-long skirmishes.

The camp has been abandoned, according to an Army officer
but refused to be named for lack of authority. "We found bomb making
devices, mortar rounds, black powder and ammonium nitrate, cut nails and plain
metal sheets used as shrapnel and electrical wiring," he said.

Since the fighting began last February 5, the BIFF have set
off more than 50 IEDs in the adjoining towns of Datu Salibo, Shariff Aguak, and
Datu Saudi Ampatuan targeting soldiers and even civilians traversing the national
highway in Maguindanao.

Capt. Joann Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson,
said the military will continue clearing operations in the affected communities
before it will give green light to displaced families.

"As long as the areas are not cleared of IEDs planted
by fleeing BIFF, we will not recommend the return of evacuees," she told
reporters.

To date, five soldiers were killed and more than 30 others
injured, mostly by IEDs set off by the BIFF.

At least 3,000 families or about 7,000 people are still in
evacuation sites in Maguindanao's three towns.

Government relief agencies of Maguindanao and the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are attending to their needs on food and
health needs.